Opinion: Don't Get Carried Away with Manny Ramirez Suspension

In the wake of Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez getting suspended for 50 games for a positive drug test baseball fans all over have been showing jovial reactions, seemingly to celebrate the "justice" of Ramirez finally being punished for something, anything!

Yes, Ramirez does not exactly have a Cal Ripken Jr. type legacy but he has always been a focal figure in the game of baseball. Losing a player like Ramirez for 50 games, while justified and appropriate given the rules, is just another black eye for the sport of baseball.

After departing from the Boston Red Sox organization via trade last season Ramirez rejuvenated the baseball world with his performance in Dodger blue. The historic franchise of the Dodgers was back in the spot light and, to me, any time one of the great franchises is getting attention it is a good thing for baseball.

You see the success baseball has in cities like Boston, New York, Chicago and recently, Philadelphia. Baseball was once again one of the talks of the town in Los Angeles.

You can point to the fact that Los Angeles does not really care about sports, and you will not get an argument from me, and you can point to the empty seats up until the third inning and after the seventh innings in playoff games, but what you can not belittle is the impact Ramirez had on the team.

The Dodgers are off to the best record in baseball, at 21-8, including a 13-0 home record which has been highly publicized by the national media. It seemed like the Dodgers were on track for a terrific season, and if they have any character they can still have a fine season. Not having Ramirez for a third of the season at this point will hurt.

What kind of shape will Ramirez return in? How will his teammates carry on without him? More importantly, how does baseball respond?

The critics will be quick to point at the drug policy, which has been reworked and strengthened lately. Credit baseball officials for following through with their policy instead as it is now clear that they do not care what the name of the player is. J.C. Romero is already going through this same situation.

Should Ramirez (and Romero) taken more precautions in what he was injecting in his body? Probably. From what has been publicized though Ramirez has a better leg to stand on than Romero. Ramirez took something prescribed by his doctor, but he still should have gotten a second opinion when he gets paid what he does.

Losing Ramirez is good for opposing baseball teams on the field, but it is not good for the game.

This was originally posted on Macho Row.